Abell has worked at the industry body for a decade and has been its
director since
the beginning of 2010, when he replaced Tim Toulmin.

In a
statement issued this morning by the PCC, Abell said: "It has
been a great privilege to work over the years with the committed,
wonderful staff and board members of the PCC. I have been involved
with the PCC for more than a decade, and I decided last year that
it was time for a new challenge.

"I remain a firm supporter of enhanced self-regulation for the
press, maintaining all that is good about the work of the PCC, and
am confident that this will be achieved as a result of the Leveson
Inquiry."

"I have valued his assistance in this, and his professionalism in
leading the PCC's staff as they continued their important work
during a difficult period. It is testament to him that the service
to complainants, both those in the public eye and those without
claim to celebrity, has improved and expanded over the last few
years."

The PCC has hired Michael McManus in the role of "director of
transition" while the proposals for a reform of press
self-regulation are developed further.

Abell is leaving to become a partner at a communications
consultancy, Pagefield, where he will oversee media relations and
crisis communication.